Halogenated Polysilane and Plasma-Chemical Process for Producing the Same

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a halogenated polysilane as a pure compound or a mixture of compounds each having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist exclusively of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/DE2009/000726, filed on May 27, 2009.

This application claims the priority of German application no. 10 2008 024 261.1 filed May 27, 2008, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a halogenated polysilane as a pure compound or a mixture of compounds each having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist exclusively of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1.

Chlorinated polysilanes of this kind are known in the prior art [references: DE 10 2005 024 041 A1; DE 10 2006 034 061 A1; WO 2008/031427 A2; WO 81/03168; US 2005/0142046 A1; M. Schmeisser, P. Voss “Über das Siliciumchlorid [SiCl₂]_(x)”, Z. anorg. allg. Chem. (1964) 334, 50-56 (Schmeisser, 1964); US 2007/0078252 A1; DE 31 26 240 C2; UK 703,349]. On the one hand they can be produced in a purely thermal reaction (Schmeisser, 1964) by heating chlorosilanes in vapor form with or without a reducing agent at relatively high temperatures (above 700° C.). The chlorinated polysilanes obtained have a faint coloration from dirty-yellow to yellowish-light-brown (Schmeisser, 1964; “slightly greenish-yellow, glass-like, high-polymer”). Spectroscopic investigations have shown that these polysilanes produced purely thermally have a high proportion of short-chain, branched and cyclic molecules. Furthermore, the mixture obtained is heavily contaminated with AlCl₃ owing to the production conditions (very high temperatures).

GB 702,349 discloses that when silicon alloys are reacted with chlorine gas at 190-250° C. a mixture of chlorinated polysilanes is condensed from the gas stream. The average molecular weight of these mixtures is relatively low, because on distillation only 2% of the silanes have n greater than 6.

DE 31 26 240 C2 describes the wet-chemical production of chlorinated polysilanes from Si₂Cl₆ by reaction with a catalyst. The mixtures obtained still contain the catalyst and are therefore washed with organic solvents, so that traces of this solvent and of the catalyst remain. Moreover, PCS obtained in this way are strongly branched. Other wet-chemical methods are presented in US 2007/0078252 A1;

-   -   1. Reduction of halogenated aryloligosilanes with sodium         followed by cleavage with HCl/AlCl₃ aromatics.     -   2. Transition-metal-catalyzed dehydrogenating polymerization of         arylated H-silanes and subsequent dearylation with HCl/AlCl₃.     -   3. Anionically catalyzed ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of         (SiCl₂)₅ with TBAF (Bu₄NF).     -   4. ROP of (SiAr₂)₅ with TBAF or Ph₃SiK and subsequent         dearylation with HCl/AlCl₃.         With all these methods, once again PCS contaminated with         solvent/catalyst are obtained.

In H. Stüger, P. Lassacher, E. Hengge, Zeitschrift für allgemeine and anorganische Chemie 621 (1995) 1517-1522, Si₅Cl₉H is converted to the corresponding bis-cyclopentasilane Si₁₀Cl₁₈ by boiling with Hg(tBu₂) in heptane. Alternatively, cyclization of Si₅Ph₉Br with naphthyllithium or K and/or Na/K can be performed in various solvents with subsequent halogenation with HCl/AlCl₃.

Production of halogenated polysilanes of this kind by a plasma-chemical process is also known. For example, DE 10 2005 024 041 A1 relates to a method of production of silicon from halosilanes, in which in a first step the halosilane is converted to a halogenated polysilane with production of a plasma discharge, and this is then decomposed to silicon in a second step, with heating. In this known method, in connection with production of the plasma, high energy densities are used (above 10 Wcm⁻³), and the end product is a not very compact, waxy-white to yellowish-brown or brown solid. Spectroscopic investigations showed that the end product obtained has a relatively high degree of crosslinking. The high energy densities used lead to products of high molecular weights, resulting in insolubility and low fusibility.

Furthermore, WO 81/03168 describes a high-pressure plasma process for synthesis of HSiCl₃, in which PCS are formed as minor by-products. As these PCS are produced at extremely high gas temperatures, they are relatively short-chained and strongly branched. Moreover, this PCS has a high H content, owing to the hydrogenating conditions (HSiCl₃ synthesis!). US 2005/0142046 A1 describes PCS production by silent electric discharge in SiCl₄ at normal pressure. Only short-chain polysilanes are formed, as is demonstrated by the author with the selective reaction of SiH₄ to Si₂H₆ and Si₃H₈ by connecting several reactors in series. The situation is similar according to DE 10 2006 034 061 A1, in which a similar reaction is described, in which gaseous and liquid PCS are obtained, with Si₂Cl₆ as the main constituent (p. 3, [00161]). Admittedly the authors describe how the molecular weights of the PCS can be increased by using several reactors connected in series, but it is only possible to obtain material that can be converted undecomposed to the gas phase. This situation is also expressed by the authors in the claims, in which they envisage distillations for all PCS mixtures obtained.

In addition to chlorinated polysilanes, other halogenated polysilanes Si_(x)X_(y) (X═F, Br, I) are also known in the prior art.

E. Hengge, G. Olbrich, Monatshefte für Chemie 101 (1970) 1068-1073 describes the production of a polymer with a sheet structure (SiF)_(x). The sheet-structure polymers (SiCl)_(x) or (SiBr)_(x) are obtained from CaSi₂ by reaction with ICl or IBr. A halogen exchange is then performed with SbF₃. However, partial degradation of the Si layer structure occurs. The resultant product contains the amount of CaCl₂ based on stoichiometry from CaSi₂, and this cannot be washed out.

The production of polyfluorosilane (SiF₂)_(x) is described for example in M. Schmeisser, Angewandte Chemie 66 (1954) 713-714. SiBr₂F₂ reacts at room temperature in ether with magnesium to a yellow, high-polymer (SiF₂)_(x). Compounds such as Si₁₀Cl₂₂, (SiBr)_(x) and Si₁₀Br₁₆ can be rehalogenated with ZnF₂ to the corresponding fluorides. The standard method of production of (SiF₂)_(x) is presented for example in P. L. Timms, R. A. Kent, T. C. Ehlert, J. L. Margrave, Journal of the American Chemical Society 87 (1965) 2824-2828. In this, (SiF₂)_(x) is produced by leading SiF₄ over silicon at 1150° C. and 0.1-0.2 torr and freezing out the resultant SiF₂ at −196° C. with polymerization during subsequent thawing. The colorless to pale yellow plastic polymer melts on heating to 200-350° C. in vacuum and releases perfluorinated silanes from SiF₄ to at least Si₁₄F₃₀. A silicon-rich polymer (SiF)_(x) remains, which at 400±10° C. decomposes vigorously to SiF₄ and Si. The lower perfluoropolysilanes are colorless liquids or crystalline solids, which can be isolated by fractional condensation in purities >95%.

Traces of secondary or tertiary amines catalyze the polymerization of perfluoro-oligosilanes. FI 82232 B discloses a reaction at even higher temperature. SiF₄ reacts with Si in an Ar-plasma flame to SiF₂ (0.8:1 mol, 70% SiF₂ content).

Short-chain perbrominated polysilanes are formed, according to A. Besson, L. Fournier, Comptes rendus 151 (1911) 1055-1057. An electric discharge in gaseous HSiBr₃ produces SiBr₄, Si₂Br₆, Si₃Br₃ and Si₄Br₁₀.

K. Hassler, E. Hengge, D. Kovar, Journal of molecular structure 66 (1980) 25-30 prepare cyclo-Si₄Br₈ by reaction of (SiPh₂)₄ with HBr under AlBr₃ catalysis. In H. Stüger, P. Lassacher, E. Hengge, Zeitschrift für allgemeine and anorganische Chemie 621 (1995) 1517-1522, Si₅Br₉H is converted to the corresponding bis-cyclopentasilane Si₁₀Br₁₈ by boiling with Hg(tBu₂) in heptane. Alternatively, cyclization of Si₅Ph₉Br with naphthyllithium or K or Na/K can be performed in various solvents with subsequent halogenation with HBr/AlBr₃.

High-molecular silicon sub-bromides can be prepared, according to M. Schmeisser, Angewandte Chemie 66 (1954) 713-714, on the one hand by reaction of SiBr₄ with magnesium in ether in the form of the yellow, solid (SiBr)_(x), and on the other hand by the action of SiBr₄ on elemental Si at 1150° C., which in addition to (SiBr)_(x) also produces Si₂Br₆ and other oligosilanes such as Si₁₀Br₁₆.

DE 955414 B also discloses a reaction at high temperature. If SiBr₄ or Br₂ in vapor form are led in vacuum at 1000-1200° C. through silicon grit, there is mainly formation of (SiBr₂)_(x), along with a little Si₂Br₆.

The ring-opening polymerization of cyclo-Si₅Br₁₀ and cyclo-Si₅I₁₀ by the action of Bu₄NF in THF or DME is claimed in US 2007/0078252 A1.

For example E. Hengge, D. Kovar, Angewandte Chemie 93 (1981) 698-701 or K. Hassler, U. Katzenbeisser, Journal of organometallic chemistry 480 (1994) 173-175 report on the production of short-chain periodated polysilanes. By reacting the phenylcyclosilanes (SiPh₂)_(n) (n=4-6) or Si₃Ph₈ with HI under AlI₃ catalysis, the periodated cyclosilanes (SiI₂)_(n) (n=4-6) or Si₃I₈ are formed. M. Schmeisser, K. Friederich, Angewandte Chemie (1964) 782 describe various routes for the production of periodated polysilanes. (SiI₂)_(x) is produced at approx. 1% yield when SiI₄ vapor is led over elemental silicon at 800-900° C. at high vacuum. The pyrolysis of SiI₄ in the same conditions gives the same product, which is very sensitive to hydrolysis and is soluble in benzene. Under the action of a glow discharge on SiI₄ vapors at high vacuum, a solid, amorphous, reddish-yellow silicon sub-iodide of the composition (SiI_(2.2))_(x), insoluble in all the usual solvents, is obtained at a yield of 60 to 70% (relative to SiI₄). Pyrolysis of this substance at 220 to 230° C. at high vacuum leads to a dark red (SiI₂)_(x), with SiI₄ and Si₂I₆ being formed simultaneously. The chemical properties of the resultant compounds (SiI₂)_(x) coincide—except for solubility in benzene. Pyrolysis of (SiI₂)_(x) at 350° C. at high vacuum produces SiI₄, Si₂I₆ and an orange-red, friable solid with the composition (SiI)_(x). (SiI₂)_(x) reacts with chlorine or bromine between −30° C. and +25° C. to benzene-soluble, mixed silicon subhalides such as (SiClI)_(x) and (SiBrI)_(x). At higher temperatures the Si—Si chains are cleaved by chlorine or bromine with simultaneous total substitution of the iodine. Compounds of the type Si_(n)X_(2n+2) (n=2-6 for X═Cl, n=2-5 for X═Br) are obtained. (SiI₂)_(x) reacts with iodine at 90 to 120° C. in a bomb tube completely to SiI₄ and Si₂I₆.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the task of creating a halogenated polysilane of the stated type that is particularly soluble and fusible. Furthermore, a method of production of said halogenated polysilane is to be provided.

According to a first embodiment, for a halogenated polysilane of the stated type, this task is solved in that

-   -   a) the halogen is chlorine,     -   b) the hydrogen content of the polysilane is less than 2 atom-%,     -   c) the polysilane contains hardly any short-chain branched         chains and rings, the content of branching points of the         short-chain fraction relative to the total product mixture being         less than 1%,     -   d) it has a Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂>1,         where I₁₀₀ denotes the Raman intensity at 100 cm⁻¹ and I₁₃₂         denotes the Raman intensity at 132 cm⁻¹, and     -   e) in ²⁹Si-NMR spectra its significant product signals are in         the range of chemical shift from +15 ppm to −7 ppm.

In a second embodiment of the invention, for a halogenated polysilane of the stated type, the stated task is solved in that

-   -   a) the halogen is bromine, and     -   b) in ²⁹Si-NMR spectra its significant product signals are in         the range of chemical shift from −10 ppm to −42 ppm, from −48         ppm to −52 ppm and/or from −65 ppm to −96 ppm.

The halogenated polysilane described above preferably has typical Raman intensities at 110 cm⁻¹ to 130 cm¹, at 170 cm⁻¹ to 230 cm⁻¹, at 450 cm⁻¹ to 550 cm⁻¹ and at 940 cm⁻¹ to 1000 cm⁻¹.

The hydrogen content of this polysilane is preferably less than 4 atom-%.

In a third embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned task is solved according to the invention in that

-   -   a) the halogen is fluorine, and     -   b) in its ²⁹Si-NMR spectrum it has significant product signals         in the range of chemical shift from 8 ppm to −30 ppm and/or from         −45 ppm to −115 ppm.

This fluorinated polysilane preferably has typical Raman intensities at approx. 180 cm⁻¹ to 225 cm⁻¹, at approx. 490 cm⁻¹ to 550 cm⁻¹ and at approx. 900 cm⁻¹ to 980 cm⁻¹.

The hydrogen content of this polysilane is preferably less than 4 atom-%.

In a fourth embodiment of the invention the aforementioned task is solved according to the invention in that

-   -   a) the halogen is iodine, and     -   b) in its ²⁹Si-NMR spectrum it has significant product signals         in the range of chemical shift from −20 ppm to −55 ppm, from −65         ppm to −105 ppm and/or from −135 ppm to −181 ppm.

This iodated polysilane preferably has typical Raman intensities at approx. 95 cm⁻¹ to 120 cm⁻¹, at 130 cm⁻¹ to 140 cm⁻¹, at 320 cm⁻¹ to 390 cm⁻¹ and at 480 cm⁻¹ to 520 cm⁻¹.

The hydrogen content of this polysilane is preferably less than 4 atom-%.

The invention also relates to a halogenated polysilane, which contains halogen substituents of several different halogens.

The ²⁹Si-NMR spectra were recorded on a 250 MHz instrument of the Bruker DPX 250 type with the pulse sequence zg30 and were referenced against tetramethylsilane (TMS) as external standard [δ(²⁹Si)=0.0]. The acquisition parameters are: TD=32 k, AQ=1.652 s, D1=10 s, NS=2400, O1P=−40, SW=400.

The Raman molecular vibrational spectra were determined with an XY 800 spectrometer from the company Dilor with tunable laser excitation (T-sapphire laser, pumped by Ar-ion laser) and a confocal Raman and luminescence microscope, with liquid-nitrogen-cooled CCD detector, measurement temperature equal to room temperature, excitation wavelengths in the visible region of the spectrum, among others 514.53 nm and 750 nm.

The term short-chain used here relates to those compounds for which n=2-6, where n is the number of Si atoms bound to each other directly. Therefore polymers for which n is greater than 6 are regarded as long-chain.

“Almost no” means that the mixture contains less than 2%. “Mainly” means that the content of the relevant constituent in the mixture is more than 50%.

“Backbone chain” comprises all silicon atoms of a compound that are joined together by Si—Si bonds.

The halogenated polysilane formed according to the invention is produced with considerably “milder” (energy density) plasma conditions. As a result, the polysilane produced, with relatively high average chains lengths (n=9-25), is readily soluble and readily fusible.

The degree of branching of the chlorinated polysilane was determined by ²⁹Si-NMR spectroscopy. It was found that the chlorinated polysilanes produced using the process according to the invention have a low content of branched short-chain compounds, and their branching points represent a proportion of the total mixture of less than 1%. The branchings appeared in the ²⁹Si-NMR spectrum in a region from δ=−20 to −40 ppm and δ=−65 to −90 ppm. In standard ²⁹Si-NMR spectra of the chlorinated polysilanes according to the invention, only very few or even no resonances appear in these regions, which is a clear distinguishing feature compared with e.g. thermally produced chlorinated polysilanes, which have a high proportion of branching points. This is connected with the fact that the latter chlorinated polysilanes are thermodynamically more favorable than chlorinated polysilanes with unbranched chains and are therefore formed preferentially in the thermal reaction, whereas in the plasma process, which takes place far away from thermodynamic equilibrium, the thermodynamically more favorable branchings are less preferred.

The content of cyclosilanes was also determined by ²⁹Si-NMR and Raman spectroscopy, and it was found that the content of small rings (Si₄, Si₅, Si₆) is very low.

Moreover, the chlorinated polysilanes formed according to the invention have a Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂>1. In particular, in the low-frequency region there are strong Raman signals in the range from 95-110 cm⁻¹, whereas far weaker Raman intensities were measured in the range 120-135 cm⁻¹.

Chlorinated polysilanes produced purely thermally have an I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂ ratio of <1.

This may be explained as follows. For cyclic chlorinated polysilanes, theoretical, quantum-mechanical calculations show inter alia intensive characteristic modes between 120 cm⁻¹ and 135 cm⁻¹. In contrast, such calculations for linear halogenated polysilanes do not show any pronounced modes in this region. In contrast, the lowest-frequency, intensive modes of the linear compounds are displaced with increasing chain length to smaller wavenumbers. In the mixture of halogenated polysilanes they appear as Raman bands between 95 and 110 cm⁻¹. To that extent, the I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂ criterion provides information on the content of cyclic or linear molecules.

The halogenated polysilane produced according to the invention is further characterized in that it is soluble in many solvents, so that it can easily be removed from a reactor used for production. In particular the halogenated polysilane formed according to the invention has good solubility in inert solvents, such as SiCl₄, benzene, toluene, paraffin etc., and both at room temperature and in cold and hot or boiling solvents. This contrasts with the halogenated polysilane produced according to the aforesaid publication DE 10 2005 024 041 A1, which is not soluble at all or only to a slight extent in such solvents.

The halogenated polysilane according to the invention is preferably characterized in that its substituents consist exclusively of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen.

The halogenated polysilane formed according to the invention preferably has mainly long chains (on average: n=8 to 20).

The halogenated polysilane formed according to the invention also differs from the plasma-chemically produced polysilane of the stated prior art in that the polysilane raw mixture produced has a smaller average chain length. Thus, the average chain length of the resultant raw mixture of halogenated polysilane (average size of the backbone chain) is preferably n=8-20. After distilling-off the short-chain polysilanes n is preferably 15-25.

Another distinguishing criterion relative to the prior art is that the halogenated polysilane according to the invention has a low hydrogen content (less than 2 atom-% or less than 4 atom-%) and in particular contains less than 1 atom-% hydrogen.

Furthermore, the polysilane according to the invention, because it is produced in a plasma process, is of high purity with respect to contamination with doping agents/metals and solvents, which is another distinguishing feature relative to the wet-chemical methods of production of polysilanes, because in the last-mentioned methods, traces of solvents and metal-salt-type reagents always remain in the product. In particular, the high-purity polysilane obtained in a plasma process according to the invention meets the requirements for use in photovoltaics, i.e. it is of photovoltaic grade.

The halogenated polysilane is highly viscous to solid. As chlorinated polysilane it has a greenish-yellow to bright orange or reddish brown color and as brominated polysilane it is colorless to yellow.

The task stated above is further solved by a method of production of halogenated polysilane of the type described above by reacting halosilane with hydrogen with production of a plasma discharge, which is characterized in that it uses a mixture ratio of halosilane to hydrogen of 1:0-1:2 and, with respect to plasma discharge, with an energy density of less than 10 Wcm⁻³.

The method according to the invention is characterized in that it employs “milder” plasma conditions than in the prior art, which with respect to the plasma discharge is reflected in an energy density of less than 10 Wcm⁻³. Thus, the plasma-chemical process of the prior art employs energy densities of more than 10 Wcm⁻³, whereas the process according to the invention preferably has energy densities of 0.2-2 Wcm⁻³.

Energy density means the input of power at the moment of the gas discharge, divided by the excited gas volume.

Moreover, the process according to the invention is characterized, relative to the prior art, by a smaller proportion of hydrogen in the starting mixture. Thus, a mixture ratio of halosilane to hydrogen of 1:0-1:2 is employed according to the invention, so that there is a further marked reduction in the energy input per equivalent of halosilane to be decomposed. This is preferably about 850-1530 kJ/mol halosilane.

The process according to the invention is preferably carried out in a pressure range of 0.8-10 hPa. Generally this pressure range is higher than in the prior art for low-pressure gas discharges (e.g. DE 10 2005 024 041 A1), and it is decisive that in the process according to the invention the higher pressures can be achieved without supporting measures for the plasma discharge (for example high-voltage discharge), whereas this is definitely necessary in the prior art (DE 10 2005 024 041 A1). Without the aforementioned support, in the prior art it was only possible to work at pressures of less than 1 hPa.

The coupling-in of the desired lower powers is also achieved in the process according to the invention without supporting measures. Thus, in the process according to the invention, ignition can take place without any problem at 100 W.

Whereas, as mentioned, a mixture ratio of halosilane to hydrogen of 1:0-1:2 is employed in the process according to the invention, in the plasma-chemical process of the prior art this mixture ratio is 1:2-1:20 (DE 10 2005 024 041 A1; WO 81/03168).

Regarding the temperature of the reactor in which the process according to the invention is carried out, the reactor parts on which the halogenated polysilane is to be deposited are preferably maintained at a temperature from −70° C. to 300° C., in particular −20° C. to 280° C. Generally the temperature of the reactor is kept relatively low, to avoid formation of Si.

With the process according to the invention, product mixtures can preferably be produced whose molecules on average have 13-18 Si atoms.

For the process according to the invention, for example an electrical voltage or alternating electromagnetic fields can be used for producing the plasma discharge. High-frequency glow discharges at relatively low pressures (a few hPa) are preferred.

For the process according to the invention, a halosilane is used as the starting substance. Halosilane means, in the sense of the process according to the invention, compounds of the type H_(n)SiX_(4-n) (X═F, Cl, Br, I; n=0-3) and mixtures thereof. However, halosilanes with mixed halogen substitution can also be used in the process according to the invention.

The gas mixture (halosilane and hydrogen) used in the process according to the invention can additionally be diluted with an inert gas and/or can contain admixtures, which promote plasma production. The admixture of inert gases is not, however, absolutely necessary in the process according to the invention.

In another embodiment of the process according to the invention, halosilane is added to the hydrogen stream, after the latter has passed through a plasma zone (remote plasma). In this case both the hydrogen gas and the halosilane can be diluted with an inert gas and/or can contain admixtures that promote plasma production. The halosilane can also be used diluted with hydrogen.

In the process according to the invention, preferably fluorosilanes or chlorosilanes are used as halosilane. An especially preferred starting compound is SiCl₄.

The halosilane:hydrogen volume ratio in the production of the halogenated polysilane is preferably 1:0 to 1:20, more preferably 1:0 to 1:2.

The invention is described below on the basis of examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the ‘H-NMR spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 1.

FIG. 2 shows the ²⁹Si NMR spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 1.

FIG. 3 shows the Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 1.

FIG. 4 shows the ‘H-NMR spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 2.

FIG. 5 shows the ²⁹Si NMR spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 2.

FIG. 6 shows the H′-NMR spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 3.

FIG. 7 shows the ²⁹Si NMR spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane made by Example 3.

FIG. 8 shows the ‘H-NMR spectrum of the brominated polysilane made by Example 4.

FIG. 9 shows the ²⁹S NMR spectrum of the brominated polysilane made by Example 4.

FIG. 10 shows the Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of the brominated polysilane made by Example 4.

FIG. 11 shows the ‘H-NMR spectrum of the fluorinated polysilane made by Example 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Example 1

A mixture of 500 sccm H₂ and 500 sccm SiCl₄ (1:1) is fed into a reactor made of quartz glass, the process pressure being kept constant in the range 1.6-1.8 hPa. Transition of the gas mixture to the plasma state is then effected by a high-frequency discharge, and the chlorinated polysilane that forms is deposited on the cooled (20° C.) quartz glass walls of the reactor. The power input is 400 W. After 2 hours the yellow to orange-yellow product is removed from the reactor by dissolving in a little SiCl₄. After removal of the SiCl₄ under vacuum, 91.1 g polysilane is left behind in the form of an orange-yellow viscous mass.

The average molecular weight is determined by cryoscopy as approx. 1700 g/mol, which for the chlorinated polysilane (SiCl₂)_(n) or Si_(n)Cl_(2n+2) corresponds to an average chain length of approx. n=17 for (SiCl₂)_(n) or approx. n=16 for Si_(n)Cl_(2n+2).

The ratio of Si to Cl in the product mixture is determined after decomposition by chloride titration according to Mohr as Si:Cl=1:2 (which corresponds to the empirical (analytical) formula SiCl₂).

The hydrogen content is 0.0005 mass-% and accordingly well below 1 mass-% (as well as below 1 atom-%), as can be seen from the following ¹H-NMR spectrum (FIG. 1). For this, the integrals of the solvent are compared at δ=7.15 ppm and of the product at δ=4.66 ppm. The content of the solvent C₆D₆ is approx. 25 mass-% and its degree of deuteration is 99%.

Typical ²⁹Si-NMR shifts at approx. 3.7 ppm, −0.4 ppm, −4.1 ppm and −6.5 ppm can be seen from the following spectrum (FIG. 2). These signals are within the range of shifts for (1) and (2), which is typical of signals of SiCl₃ end groups (primary Si atoms), and (2), which is typical of signals of SiCl₂ groups (secondary Si atoms), such as they are present for example as connecting links in the region of linear chains.

The low content of short-chain branched compounds, e.g. decachloroisotetrasilane (among others δ=−32 ppm), dodecachloroneopentasilane (among others δ=−80 ppm) can also be seen from the next ²⁹Si-NMR spectrum (FIG. 2). By integration of the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra it can be seen that the content of silicon atoms, which form the branching points of the short-chain fraction, relative to the total product mixture is 0.6 mass-% and so is less than 1 mass-%.

Low-molecular cyclosilanes cannot be detected in the mixtures. In the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra these would show sharp signals at δ=5.8 ppm (Si₄Cl₈), δ=−1.7 ppm (Si₅Cl₁₀), δ=−2.5 ppm (Si₈Cl₁₂), but these are not found.

A typical Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of the chlorinated polysilane is shown below (FIG. 3). The spectrum has an I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂ ratio greater than 1, i.e. the Raman intensity at 100 cm⁻¹ (I₁₀₀) is markedly higher than that at 132 cm⁻¹ (I₁₃₂). The spectrum of a thermally produced perchloropolysilane mixture and the calculated spectrum of octachlorocyclotetrasilane (Si₄Cl₈) are given for comparison, and in each case the ratio reverses to I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂ less than 1.

This diagram also shows, as an example, a section of a theoretical curve. For this, the quantum-chemically calculated modes [Hohenberg P, Kohn W. 1964. Phys. Rev. B 136:864-71; Kohn W, Sham L J. 1965. Phys. Rev. A 140:1133-38, W. Koch and M. C. Holthausen, A Chemist's Guide to Density Functional Theory, Wiley, Weinheim, 2nd edn., 2000] are adjusted with a Multi-Lorentz peak function, which roughly simulates the experimental spectral resolution. With respect to the absolute intensity, the theoretical curve was normalized, so that it fits well in the diagram for viewing. The relative intensities of the peaks in the theory originate directly from the calculation from first principles calculation. This should show that certain intensities are typical of cyclic polysilanes. The data of the Raman spectrum point to a lower content of cyclic polysilanes in the plasma-chemically produced polysilane mixture, which is consistent with the NMR data (see above).

Example 2

A mixture of 300 sccm H₂ and 600 sccm SiCl₄ (1:2) is fed into a reactor made of quartz glass, the process pressure being kept constant in the range 1.5-1.6 hPa. Transition of the gas mixture to the plasma state is then effected by a high-frequency discharge, and the chlorinated polysilane that forms is deposited on the cooled (20° C.) quartz glass walls of the reactor. The power input is 400 W. After 4 hours the orange-yellow product is removed from the reactor by dissolving in a little SiCl₄. After removal of the SiCl₄ under vacuum, 187.7 g of chlorinated polysilane is left behind in the form of an orange-yellow viscous mass.

The average molecular weight is determined by cryoscopy and is approx. 1400 g/mol, which for the chlorinated polysilane (SiCl₂)_(n) or Si_(n)Cl_(2n+2) corresponds to an average chain length of approx. n=14 for (siCl₂)_(n) or approx. n=13 for Si_(n)Cl_(2n+2).

The ratio of Si to Cl in the product mixture is determined after decomposition by chloride titration according to Mohr as Si:Cl=1:1.8 (which corresponds to the empirical (analytical) formula SiCl_(1.8)).

The hydrogen content is well below 1 mass-% (0.0008%) (also below 1 atom-%), as can be seen from the following ¹H-NMR spectrum (FIG. 4). For this, the integrals of the solvent are compared at δ=7.15 ppm and of the product at δ=3.75 ppm.

The content of the solvent C₆D₆ is approx. 27 mass-% and its degree of deuteration is 99%.

Typical ²⁹Si-NMR shifts at approx. 10.9 ppm, 3.3 ppm, −1.3 ppm and −4.8 ppm can be seen from the following spectrum (FIG. 5). These signals are within the range of shifts at (1) and (2), which is typical of signals of SiCl₃ end groups (primary Si atoms), and (2), which is typical of signals of SiCl₂ groups (secondary Si atoms), such as they are present for example as connecting links in the region of linear chains.

The low content of short-chain branched compounds, e.g. decachloroisotetrasilane (among others δ=−32 ppm), dodecachloroneopentasilane (among others δ=−80 ppm) (these signals are within the range of shifts at (3), which is typical of signals of Si—Cl groups (tertiary Si atoms), and (4), which is typical of signals of Si groups with exclusively Si substituents (quaternary Si atoms)), can be seen from the following spectrum (FIG. 5). By integration of the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra it can be seen that the content of silicon atoms, which form said branching points (Si—Cl groups (tertiary Si atoms) and Si groups with exclusively Si substituents (quaternary Si atoms)) of the short-chain fraction, relative to the total product mixture is 0.3 mass-% and so is less than 1 mass-%.

Low-molecular cyclosilanes could not be detected in the mixtures. These ought to show sharp signals at δ=5.8 ppm (Si₄Cl₈), δ=−1.7 ppm (Si₆Cl₁₀), δ=−2.5 ppm (Si₆Cl₁₂) in the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra, but cannot be identified with certainty in the spectrum, as the spectrum has a large number of signals in this region.

The peak at approx. −20 ppm originates from the solvent SiCl₄.

Example 3

A mixture of 200 sccm H₂ and 600 sccm SiCl₄ vapor (1:3) is fed into a reactor made of quartz glass, the process pressure being kept constant in the range 1.50-1.55 hPa. Transition of the gas mixture to the plasma state is then effected by a high-frequency discharge, and the chlorinated polysilane that forms is deposited on the cooled (20° C.) quartz glass walls of the reactor. The power input is 400 W. After 2 h 9 min the orange-yellow product is removed from the reactor by dissolving in a little SiCl₄. After removal of the SiCl₄ under vacuum, 86.5 g of chlorinated polysilane is left behind in the form of an orange-yellow viscous mass.

The average molecular weight is determined by cryoscopy and is approx. 1300 g/mol, which for the chlorinated polysilane (SiCl₂)_(n) or Si_(n)Cl_(2n+2) corresponds to an average chain length of approx. n=13 for (SiCl₂)_(n) or approx. n=12 for Si_(n)Cl_(2n+2).

The ratio of Si to Cl in the product mixture is determined after decomposition by chloride titration according to Mohr as Si:Cl=1:1.7 (which corresponds to the empirical (analytical) formula SiCl_(1.7)).

The hydrogen content is well below 1 mass-% (0.0006%) (also below 1 atom-%), as can be seen from the following ¹H-NMR spectrum (FIG. 6). For this, the integrals of the solvent are compared at δ=7.15 ppm and of the product at δ=3.74 ppm. The content of the solvent C₆D₆ is approx. 30 mass-% and its degree of deuteration is 99%.

The typical ²⁹Si-NMR shifts at approx. 10.3 ppm, 3.3 ppm, −1.3 ppm and −4.8 ppm and the low content of short-chain branched compounds, e.g. decachloroisotetrasilane (among others δ=−32 ppm), dodecachloroneopentasilane (among others δ=−80 ppm) (these signals are within the range of shifts at (3), which is typical of signals of Si—Cl groups (tertiary Si atoms), and (4), which is typical of signals of Si groups with exclusively Si substituents (quaternary Si atoms)), can be seen from the following spectrum (FIG. 7).

The low content of short-chain branched compounds, e.g. decachloroisotetrasilane (among others δ=−32 ppm), dodecachloroneopentasilane (among others δ=−80 ppm) (these signals are within the range of shifts at (3), which is typical of signals of Si—Cl groups (tertiary Si atoms), and (4), which is typical of signals of Si groups with exclusively Si substituents (quaternary Si atoms)), can be seen from the following spectrum (FIG. 7). By integration of the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra it can be seen that the content of silicon atoms, which form the stated branching points (Si—Cl groups (tertiary Si atoms) and Si groups with exclusively Si substituents (quaternary Si atoms)) of the short-chain fraction, relative to the total product mixture is 0.6 mass-% and so is less than 1 mass-%.

Low-molecular cyclosilanes cannot be detected in the mixtures. These ought to show sharp signals at δ=5.8 ppm (Si₄Cl₈), δ=−1.7 ppm (Si₅Cl₁₀), δ=−2.5 ppm (Si₆Cl₁₂) in the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra, but cannot be identified with certainty in the spectrum, as the spectrum has a large number of signals in this region.

The peak at approx. −20 ppm originates from the solvent SiCl₄.

Example 4

A mixture of 300 sccm H₂ and 240 sccm SiBr₄ vapor is fed into a reactor made of quartz glass, the process pressure being kept constant in the region of 0.8 hPa. Transition of the gas mixture to the plasma state is then effected by a high-frequency discharge, and the brominated polysilane that forms is deposited on the cooled (20° C.) quartz glass walls of the reactor. The power input is 140 W. After 2 hours the colorless product is removed from the reactor by dissolving in benzene. After removal of the benzene under vacuum, 55.2 g of brominated polysilane remains in the form of a white mush of crystals.

The average molecular weight is determined by cryoscopy and is approx. 1680 g/mol, which for the brominated polysilane (SiBr₂)_(n) or Si_(n)Br_(2n+2) corresponds to an average chain length of approx. n=9 for (SiBr₂)_(n) or approx. n=8 for Si_(n)Br_(2n+2).

The ratio of Si to Br in the product mixture is determined after decomposition by bromide titration according to Mohr as Si:Br=1:2.3 (which corresponds to the empirical (analytical) formula SiBr_(2.3)).

The hydrogen content is well below 1 mass-% (0.01%) (also below 1 atom-%), as can be seen from the following ¹H-NMR spectrum (FIG. 8). For this, the integrals of the solvent are compared at δ=7.15 ppm and of the product at δ=3.9 ppm. The content of the solvent C₆D₆ is approx. 30 mass-% and its degree of deuteration is 99%.

The typical ²⁹Si-NMR shifts (FIG. 9) appear in the range from −15 ppm to −40 ppm, from −49 ppm to −51 ppm and from −72 ppm to −91 ppm.

The peak at approx. −90 ppm originates from the educt SiBr₄.

A typical Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of the brominated polysilane is shown below (FIG. 10). The spectrum has typical Raman intensities at approx. 110 cm⁻¹ to 130 cm⁻¹, at 170 cm⁻¹ to 230 cm⁻¹, at 450 cm⁻¹ to 550 cm⁻¹ and at 940 cm⁻¹ to 1000 cm⁻¹.

Example 5

A mixture of 100 sccm H₂ and 50 sccm SiF₄ gas is fed into a plasma reactor, the process pressure being kept constant in the region of 1.2 hPa. Transition of the gas mixture to the plasma state is then effected by a high-frequency discharge, and the fluorinated polysilane that forms is deposited on the cooled (20° C.) walls of the reactor. The power input is 100 W. After 2 h the colorless to yellowish-beige-white product is removed from the reactor by dissolving in cyclohexane. After removal of the solvent under vacuum, 0.8 g of fluorinated polysilane remains in the form of a white to yellowish-beige solid.

The average molecular weight is determined by cryoscopy and is approx. 2500 g/mol, which for the fluorinated polysilane (SiF₂)_(n) (M=66.08) or Si_(n)F_(2n+2) corresponds to an average chain length of approx. n=38 for (SiF₂)_(n) or approx. n=37 for Si_(n)F_(2n+2).

The hydrogen content is well below 1 mass-% (also under atom-%), as can be seen from the following ¹H-NMR spectrum (FIG. 11).

The typical ²⁹Si-NMR shifts of the fluorinated polysilane appear in the range from −4 ppm to −25 ppm and/or from −50 ppm to −80 ppm.

A Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of the fluorinated polysilane has typical Raman intensities at approx. 183 cm⁻¹ to 221 cm⁻¹, at approx. 497 cm⁻¹ to 542 cm⁻¹ and at approx. 900 cm⁻¹ to 920 cm⁻¹.

Example 6

A mixture of 60 sccm H₂ and 60 sccm SiI₄ vapor is fed into a reactor made of quartz glass, the process pressure being kept constant in the region of 0.6 hPa. Transition of the gas mixture to the plasma state is then effected by a high-frequency discharge, and the iodated polysilane that forms is deposited on the cooled (20° C.) quartz glass walls of the reactor. The power input is 100 W. After 2 h the reddish-yellow product is removed from the reactor by dissolving in cyclohexane. After removal of the cyclohexane under vacuum, 8 g of iodated polysilane remains in the form of a reddish-yellow to brownish solid.

The average molecular weight is determined by cryoscopy and is approx. 2450 g/mol, which for the iodated polysilane (SiI₂), or Si_(n)I_(2n+2) corresponds to an average chain length of approx. n=9 for (SiI₂)_(n) or approx. n=8 for Si_(n)I_(2n+2).

The ratio of Si to I in the product mixture is determined as Si:I=1:2.3 (which corresponds to the empirical (analytical) formula SiI_(2.3)).

The hydrogen content is well below 1 mass-% (also under <1 atom-%).

The typical ²⁹Si-NMR shifts of the iodated polysilane appear in the range from −28 ppm to −52 ppm, from −70 ppm to −95 ppm and/or from −138 ppm to −170 ppm.

A typical Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of the iodated polysilane has typical Raman intensities at approx. 98 cm⁻¹ to 116 cm⁻¹, at 132 cm⁻¹ to 138 cm⁻¹, at 325 cm⁻¹ to 350 cm⁻¹ and at 490 cm⁻¹ to 510 cm⁻¹. 

1. A composition comprising a halogenated polysilane having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1, wherein a) the halogen is chlorine, b) the hydrogen content of the polysilane is less than 2 atom-%, c) the polysilane contains hardly any short-chain branched chains and rings, and the content of branching points of the short-chain fraction relative to the total composition is less than 1%, d) the polysilane has a Raman molecular vibrational spectrum of I₁₀₀/I₁₃₂>1, where I₁₀₀ denotes the Raman intensity at 100 cm⁻¹ and I₁₃₂ denotes the Raman intensity at 132 cm¹, e) the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra of the composition has its significant product signals in the range of chemical shift from +15 ppm to −7 ppm.
 2. A composition comprising a halogenated polysilane having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1, wherein a) the halogen is bromine, and b) the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra of the composition has its significant product signals in the range of chemical shift from −10 ppm to −42 ppm, from −48 ppm to −52 ppm and/or −65 ppm to −96 ppm.
 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the polysilane has typical Raman intensities at 110 cm⁻¹ to 130 cm⁻¹, 170 cm⁻¹ to 230 cm⁻¹, at 450 cm⁻¹ to 550 cm⁻¹ and at 940 cm⁻¹ to 1000 cm⁻¹.
 4. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the hydrogen content of the polysilane is less than 4 atom-%.
 5. A composition comprising a halogenated polysilane having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1, wherein a) the halogen is fluorine, and b) the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra of the composition has its significant product signals in the range of chemical shift from 8 ppm to −30 ppm and/or from −45 ppm to −115 ppm.
 6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the polysilane has typical Raman intensities at approx. 180 cm⁻¹ to 225 cm⁻¹, at approx. 490 cm⁻¹ to 550 cm⁻¹ and at approx. 900 cm⁻¹ to 980 cm⁻¹.
 7. The halogenated polysilane according to claim 5, wherein the hydrogen content of the polysilane is less than 4 atom-%.
 8. A composition comprising a halogenated polysilane having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in the composition of which the atomic ratio of substituent to silicon is at least 1:1, wherein a) the halogen is iodine, and b) the ²⁹Si-NMR spectra of the composition has its significant product signals in the range of chemical shift from −20 ppm to −55 ppm, from −65 ppm to −105 ppm and/or from −135 ppm to −181 ppm.
 9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the polysilane has typical Raman intensities at approx. 95 cm⁻¹ to 120 cm⁻¹, at 130 cm⁻¹ to 140 cm⁻¹, at 320 cm⁻¹ to 390 cm⁻¹ and at 480 cm⁻¹ to 520 cm⁻¹.
 10. The composition according to claim 8, wherein the hydrogen content of the polysilane is less than 4 atom-%. 11.-13. (canceled)
 14. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the average size of the backbone chain of the composition is n=8-20.
 15. The halogenated polysilane according to claim 1, the average size of the backbone chain of the raw composition after distilling-off the short-chain polysilanes is n=15-25. 16.-19. (canceled)
 20. A process for production of halogenated polysilane by reacting halosilane with hydrogen in a mixture ratio of halosilane to hydrogen of 1:0-1:2 in a plasma discharge, with an energy density of less than 10 Wcm⁻³.
 21. The process according to claim 20, wherein the plasma discharge employs an energy density of 0.2-2 Wcm⁻³.
 22. The process according to claim 20, wherein the energy input per halosilane equivalent used is 850-1530 kJ/mol halosilane.
 23. The process according to claim 20, wherein the process employs a pressure range from 0.8-10 hPa.
 24. The process according to claim 20 the reactor parts on which the halogenated polysilane is deposited are maintained at a temperature from −70° C. to 300° C. 